• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.259-267
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• 2020

This study is to identify the effects of pilates mat exercise on the body composition, lumbar muscle strength, low back pain and pregnancy stress in pregnant women. In order to carry out this study, nineteen pregnant women were divided into two groups: pilates mat exercise group (n=11) and control group (n=8). EXE group performed pilates mat exercise for 60 min per day, 2days/week for 12 weeks. Our results showed that there was no significant changes in total body water, body fat mass, BMI, body fat percent, and BMR, but the EXE group showed significant increase in skeletal muscle mass. Furthermore, EXE group was significantly increased in hip extension and lumbar extension ROM. Analysis of low back pain and pregnancy stress level showed no significant difference between group. In conclusion, our study suggest that pilates mat exercise can be safely applied to pregnant women by increasing the muscle mass of pregnant women and by showing a positive effect on the lumbar muscle strength.